Biomedical subjects

M Yamaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Yamaguchi.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Effect of essential trace metal on bone metabolism in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of rats with skeletal unloading: comparison with zinc-chelating dipeptide.

The effect of essential trace metals on bone metabolism was investigated in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues obtained from skeletal-unloaded rats. Skeletal unloading was designed by using the model of hindlimb suspension in rats; the animals were fed for 4 days with the unloading. Femoral-metaphyseal tissues were cultured for 24 hours in a medium containing either vehicle (control), nickel, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, or zinc-chelating dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc; AHZ) in the concentration range of 10(-6) to 10(-4) M. Bone biochemical components (alkaline phosphatase activity, glucose consumption, and DNA content) were significantly decreased by skeletal unloading. The presence of zinc sulfate or AHZ (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) caused a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase activity in the bone tissues from unloaded rats. This effect was not seen by nickel, manganese, cobalt and copper (10(-6) to 10(-4) M). The culture medium glucose was clearly consumed by the bone tissues. This consumption was inhibited by nickel, manganese, or copper (10(-5) and 10(-4) M), while cobalt, zinc, and AHZ had no effect. DNA content in the bone tissues from unloaded rats was significantly increased by all metal compounds (10(-5) M). The effect of AHZ on bone components was greater than zinc sulfate. The AHZ (10(-5) M)-increased alkaline phosphatase activity in the bone tissues from unloaded rats was clearly blocked by the presence of cycloheximide (10(-6) M), staurosporine (10(-7) M), dibucaine (10(-4) M), or okadaic acid (10(-7) M). The present study demonstrates that, of various essential trace metals, zinc compounds have an unique anabolic effect on bone metabolism in the femoral-metaphyseal tissues of rats with skeletal unloading. Zinc-chelating dipeptide may stimulate bone protein synthesis through the mechanism that is involved in protein kinases.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1996

Staged repair of tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia without central pulmonary arteries.

A 15-year-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia without central pulmonary arteries who was successfully treated using a staged approach is presented. The first stage consisted of the creation of central pulmonary arteries. In the second stage, the continuity between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries was established with closure of the ventricular septal defect. Some patients previously considered to be unsuitable candidates for correction may be successfully repaired using this approach.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Early age onset of hairy cell leukemia presenting with leukocytosis.

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon type of chronic B cell leukemia mainly affecting middle-aged adults. HCL presenting with pancytopenia is rare in Japan and a distinct subtype of HCL termed HCL-Japanese variant is predominantly seen. We describe a HCL patient with unusual presentation. The patient was a 26-year-old male, such early onset of HCL being quite rare. The patient showed leukocytosis with many circulating hairy cells and cellular bone marrow. These findings were preferentially seen in HCL-Japanese variant, but, cytomorphologic, cytochemical and immunophenotypical studies on the pathologic cells were consistent with those of typical HCL seen in Western countries. Interferon-alpha therapy was very effective in this case. Differentiation of the subtype of HCL appears to be important for the choice of the treatment. The cytological findings were useful for the differential diagnosis of HCL presenting with leukocytosis.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed1996

Nonreleasing basophils convert to releasing basophils by culturing with IL-3.

The extent of basophil histamine release initiated by IgE cross-linking stimuli has been known to vary greatly among donors. Studies on anti-IgE nonreleasing basophils are useful in understanding the IgE-specific control mechanism of mediator release. We attempted to determine (1) whether a mutation of Fc epsilon RI is present in nonreleasing basophils and (2) whether treatment with IL-3 converts anti-IgE nonreleasing basophils to releasing basophils. Basophils were purified from normal human blood and donors were divided into releasers (maximal histamine release > 5%) and nonreleasers (< 5%). The mutation of Fc epsilon RI alpha, beta, and gamma was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and the DNA sequence was determined from amplified polymerase chain reaction products. Although antibodies against Fc epsilon RI failed to cause histamine release in anti-IgE nonreleasing basophils, no primary structural change of Fc epsilon RI was observed in nonreleaser basophils. After culturing with IL-3 for 7 days, nonreleasing basophils released histamine in response to anti-IgE, and dose-response curves of anti-IgE were equal in both releasers and nonreleasers. The conversion of nonreleasing basophils to releasing basophils was evident after 3 days of culture with IL-3. These findings indicate that nonreleasing basophils have recoverable defect(s) in the signal transduction pathway after IgE cross-linking.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Root canal irrigation with citric acid solution.

The purpose of this study was to investigate various properties of citric acid and EDTA solution as decalcifying and cleansing agents in root canal irrigation, and antibacterial effects of citric acid and EDTA solution. Powdered dentin-resin mixtures were used for evaluating the decalcifying effect of citric acid and EDTA solution. Twelve bacterial strains isolated from infected root canals, were used to evaluate the antibacterial effects of citric acid and EDTA solution. Powdered dentin-resin mixture was found to be more soluble in a 0.5, 1, and 2 M citric acid solutions than in a 0.5 M EDTA solution. Citric acid solution showed antibacterial effects on all the bacteria used.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed1996

Effects of castration and androgen replacement on tumour growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous clinical investigations suggest that androgen and its receptor (AR) may play an important role in the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Few studies are available concerning the effect of androgen manipulation on the growth of AR-positive hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. METHODS: AR-positive (SM10) and AR-negative (SM2) sublines derived from a human hepatocellular carcinoma line KYN-1 were implanted subcutaneously in the lower abdomen of nude mice. The tumour size and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Lewis Y antigen were examined in intact males, castrated males, intact females, and castrated males with androgen replacement. AR of the tumour was measured with binding assay, ultracentrifugation, and Western blotting. RESULTS: The growth of SM10 was significantly better in intact males and castrated males with 5a-dihydrotestosterone injection than in intact females and castrated males. Castration did not suppress the growth of SM2. The tumour AR level was reduced by castration but maintained by the hormone substitution. Although proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression was closely associated with tumour growth, Lewis Y antigen expression did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data may indicate that this hepatocellular carcinoma subline (SM10) is androgen-responsive and that androgen ablation can cause the inhibition of the tumour growth, which might be due to decreased proliferative and not increased apoptotic activities. In addition, such androgen-stimulated tumour growth seems to be mediated through AR.

Androgens↗

PubMed1996

Inhibition of growth and induction of TGF-beta 1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma with androgen receptor by cyproterone acetate in male nude mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma possesses androgen receptor but its true role is not known. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an anti-androgen cyproterone acetate on the growth of androgen receptor-positive hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Androgen receptor-positive human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (KYN-1/SM-10) were subcutaneously transplanted into male nude mice. When the tumor size was about 10 mm, animals were subcutaneously administered cyproterone acetate (0.1 mg/day and 0.8 mg/day) or solvent alone for 21 days. Animals were serially sacrificed for measurements of testicular weight, tumor size, and cytosolic and nuclear androgen receptor levels in tumor. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen, transforming growth factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in tumor were investigated immunohistochemically, using monoclonal antibodies. Apoptotic activity was also studied by the in situ DNA nick end labeling method. RESULTS: Cyproterone acetate depressed testicular weight, suppressed tumor growth, and decreased both cytosolic-androgen receptor and nuclear-androgen receptor levels dose-dependently. Numbers of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells were decreased transiently with the low dose but continuously with the high dose of cyproterone acetate. Transforming growth factor-alpha expression was not influenced by cyproterone acetate, but the high dose of cyproterone acetate induced higher expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1, associated with increased numbers of apoptotic tumor cells, peaking on day 3. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of growth of androgen receptor-positive hepatocellular carcinoma with cyproterone acetate in male nude mice could be due to G1-phase cell cycle arrest, and to some extent apoptosis induced by increased synthesis of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in tumor, caused by the direct action of cyproterone acetate through androgen receptors, as well as decreased testosterone levels in blood due to cyproterone acetate-induced testicular atrophy.

Androgen Antagonists↗

PubMed1996

Stimulatory effect of zinc-chelating dipeptide on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

Whether deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells is stimulated by zinc, an activator of bone formation, was investigated in vitro. After subculture for 3 days, the cells were cultured for up to 3 days (72 h) with zinc sulfate or zinc-chelated dipeptide (beta-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc; AHZ) in the range of 10(-7) to 10(-5) M. The culture with zinc compounds (10(-5) M) produced a significant increase of cell number, DNA content, and protein concentration in the cells, as reported previously. The culture with zinc compounds (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) clearly stimulated DNA synthesis in the homogenate, when it was estimated by the incorporation of [3H]deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate into the DNA in the homogenate of cells. The AHZ effect was greater than that of zinc sulfate. The culture together with cycloheximide (19(-6) M) completely abolished the zinc compounds (10(-5) M)-induced increase of DNA synthesis in the cells, suggesting that the zinc compound effect is based on a newly synthesized protein component. Moreover, when zinc sulfate (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) or AHZ (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) was added into the reaction mixture with the homogenate of cells cultured without zinc compounds, the DNA synthesis was clearly increased. The effect of addition of zinc compounds (10(-6) M) on the DNA synthesis was completely inhibited by the presence of staurosporine (10(-8) M), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, or okadaic acid (10(-7) M), an inhibitor of protein phosphatase. The present study demonstrates that zinc compounds have a stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis in osteoblastic cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Two district alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes in the human prostate: assessment by radioligand binding assay using 3H-prazosin.

1. We showed that there were two distinct alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes (alpha(1H) and alpha(IL)) in the human prostate which show different affinities for 3H-prazosin. 2. WB4101, tamsulosin, 5-methylurapizil, phentolamin, and terazosin, but not nifedipine, had significantly higher pKi values for the alpha(1H)-subtype than for the alpha(IL)-subtypes. 3. There was good correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.05) between the pKi values obtained for the alpha(1H)-receptors in membrane fractions and the cloned human alpha(1c)-adrenoceptor subtype.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗

PubMed1996

A novel phasic contraction induced by dithiothreitol in frog skeletal muscle.

1. Dithiothreitol (DTT), at 50-100 mM, induced a phasic reversible contraction of frog skeletal muscle. 2. Exposure of single fibers to nifedipine (20 microM), an L-type Ca2+ antagonist, blocked the twitch and tetanus tensions but never affected the DTT-induced contraction. 3. DTT also produced a phasic contraction in fibers where voltage sensors were inactivated in the presence of high K+ concentration (190 mM). 4. A fiber was mechanically skinned after observation of DTT-induced contraction. The skinned fiber contracted in response to a DTT concentration similar to that required to produce contraction in intact fibers before skinning. 5. In skinned fibers, DTT, at 100 or 200 mM, inhibited the accumulation of Ca2+ by SR, but not Ca2+ ATPase activity. 6. These results suggest that a high concentration of DTT triggers Ca2+ efflux from the SR through action on the Ca2+ release channel and/or closely associated proteins, such as triadin and FK-506 binding protein.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Expanded polyglutamine in the Machado-Joseph disease protein induces cell death in vitro and in vivo.

Recently, we identified a novel gene, MJD1, which contains an expanded CAG triplet repeat in Machado-Joseph disease. Here we report the induction of apoptosis in cultured cells expressing a portion of the MJD1 gene that includes the expanded CAG repeats. Cell death occurs only when the CAG repeat is translated into polyglutamine residues, which apparently precipitate in large covalently modified forms. We also created ataxic transgenic mice by expressing the expanded polyglutamine stretch in Purkinje cells. Our results demonstrate the potential involvement of the expanded polyglutamine as the common aetiological agent for inherited neurodegenerative diseases with CAG expansions.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Relative erythroid hyperplasia in the bone marrow at diagnosis of aplastic anaemia: a predictive marker for a favourable response to cyclosporine therapy.

Predicting the treatment response of aplastic anaemia (AA) is essential when considering cyclosporine (CyA) therapy among several treatment options, because it requires at least 2 months determine whether the therapy is beneficial to a patient with AA. To identify the characteristics of patients with AA who are likely to respond to CyA therapy we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and bone marrow smears of patients treated with CyA. Among 30 patients who received the therapy for at least 3 months within 1 year after diagnosis of AA, and who had not been exposed to antilymphocyte or antithymocyte globulin, 16 (53%) responded with disease remission. CyA-responsive patients had a significantly higher ratio of erythroblasts to granulocytes (E/G ratio) in the bone marrow at the time of diagnosis as compared with patients refractory to therapy (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that a high E/G ratio ( > 0.6) was significantly associated with a good response to CyA (P = 0.03): 15 (83%) of the 18 patients with an E/G ratio > 0.6 responded, but only one (8%) of the 12 with an E/G ratio > or = 0.6 did. Although the presence of subclinical paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria was suspected from the relative erythroblastosis observed in the bone marrow of these patients, flow cytometric analysis of neutrophils in the peripheral blood failed to reveal neutrophils deficient for glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored membrane proteins in all but one case. Identification of the presence of relative erythroid hyperplasia in he bone marrow when AA is diagnosed may help to predict a favourable response to CyA therapy, and therefore facilitate the selection of optimal therapy for AA.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Roles of multiple promoter elements of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen gene during Drosophila development.

The expression of genes involved in DNA replication is closely correlated with the proliferating state of cells and is repressed with the progression of differentiation during development. Promoter regions of the Drosophila proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene and the DNA polymerase alpha gene contain a common 8-base pair promoter element (DRE: DNA replication-related element). The examination of a common expression mechanism for DNA replication-related genes, which is regulated positively by growth signals and negatively by differentiation signals would be of interest. We generated PCNA-LacZ fusion genes in which the 5'-flanking sequence of the PCNA gene has been mutated. An examination of the expression of these fusion genes, introduced into flies by germ-line transformation, led to the identification of another distinct regulatory element, URE (upstream regulatory element), within the region from -168 to -119 with respect to the transcription initiation site. During embryogenesis, the region containing the DRE sequence (-108 to -91) greatly stimulated the PCNA gene minimal promoter (-86 to +130), when it was placed upstream of the promoter in both normal and reverse orientations. Addition of the URE sequence further stimulated the promoter activity twofold. During larval stages, both DRE and URE were indispensable to the promoter activity, since neither of the sequences alone activated the minimal promoter. Demonstration of beta-galactosidase activity indicated URE plays an essential role in various larval tissues such as salivary gland and imaginal disc. While the minimal promoter region alone directed maternal expression of lacZ in ovaries of adult females, both DRE and URE further stimulated promoter activity. These results show several elements of the PCNA gene promoter play roles during Drosophila development.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Mouse MCM proteins: complex formation and transportation to the nucleus.

BACKGROUND: The members of the MCM protein family, including MCM2, MCM3, Cdc21, CDC46, Mis5 and CDC47, are considered to be involved in the control of a single round of DNA replication during S phase in eukaryotes. They bind to chromatin during G1 and detach from it during S phase as if they license the chromatin to replicate. However, unlike the originally proposed 'licensing factor' and the budding yeast homologues, mammalian MCM2 and P1MCM3 proteins appeared to be localized in the nucleus during the interphase. RESULTS: We purified mCdc21 and its associated proteins from mouse cell extract by anti-mCdc21 immunoaffinity chromatography. Three proteins which co-purified with mCdc21 were identified as mCDC47, mMis5 and mMCM2, all were MCM proteins. Glycerol gradient centrifugation analysis showed that all the mouse MCM proteins were detected at 450-600 kDa, an indication of the sum of their calculated molecular weights from their amino acid sequences. mCdc21 was displaced from replicated chromatin in a similar way to P1MCM3 and MCM2 during S phase. Among the six mouse MCM proteins, only mMCM2 and mP1MCM3 showed nuclear localization when overexpressed in COS cells. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in the mouse, six MCM proteins form a single protein complex of molecular weight 450-600 kDa, which may enter the nucleus by nuclear localization signals in the mMCM2 and mP1MCM3 subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Partial purification and characterization of a novel soybean protease which is inhibited by Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors.

A novel serine protease has been partially purified from dry seeds of the soybean (Glycine max) cultivar Keburi by cryoprecipitation at pH 6.4, fractional precipitation with ammonium sulfate, and a series of column chromatographic procedures on DEAE-Sepharose, SP-Sepharose, and Arginine-Sepharose 4B. Some properties of the purified enzyme were studied. The protease hydrolyzed the native storage globulins of soybean seeds, such as the alpha subunit of beta-conglycinin, at a pair of arginine residues, Arg126-Arg127. The proteolysis of the alpha subunit in the purified alpha 2 beta molecule of beta-conglycinin apparently followed first order kinetics. The enzyme was inhibited by both soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor and Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor in a competitive manner. Moreover, the enzyme could catalyze the specific proteolysis of the A3 polypeptide of the purified G5 glycinin at the Arg99-Gly100 linkage, or the carboxyl side of the Arg98-Arg99 paired basic residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Substrate specificity of a novel serine protease from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill].

The substrate specificity of a novel serine protease isolated from soybean seeds, cultivar Keburi, was investigated using various peptide-MCAs and several neuropeptides involving single and paired basic amino acid sequences. The protease was quite specific for arginine residue at the P1 site of the active center, and it recognized paired Arg-Arg and cleaved at the linkage between Arg-Arg or after Arg-Arg in peptide and protein molecules. This is the first protease in plant tissues which resembles in substrate specificity the arginine-specific serine proteinases from porcine gastric and intestinal mucosa, recognizing paired basic amino acid sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Sphingosine inhibition of NADPH oxidase activation in a cell-free system.

The effects of sphingoid bases, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine, which are protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, on NADPH oxidase were examined in a cell-free system. The bases inhibited cell-free activation of NADPH oxidase by arachidonic acid at lower concentration than N-acetylsphingosine. Thus, positive charge in the molecules may play a critical role in inhibition of the oxidase. Sphingosine did not change the Km value for NADPH, but shifted the optimum concentration of arachidonic acid for activation of the oxidase. Moreover, sphingosine suppressed the translocation of p47-phox, one of the cytosolic components of the oxidase, to the membrane fraction, suggesting that the base inhibits the assembly of the components.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Translocation of hepatitis B virus core particles through nuclear pores in transformed yeast cells.

In our previous transmission electron microscopic study of hepatitis B virus core antigen in transformed yeast cells, we observed core particles passing through the nuclear pores. We have now analyzed 1,421 nuclear pores in transformed yeast, and conclude that 1) translocation of core particles from the nucleus to the cytoplasm occurs through the nuclear pores; 2) translocation sites are located in the center of nuclear pores; 3) at least 95% of pores are involved in the translocation process; 4) proteins as large as 28 nm in diameter can cross the envelope; 5) translocation does not stop, but rather becomes more active during nuclear division in yeast cells.

Biological Transport, Active↗